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Authorities: Ex-UMD hockey player Carroll took his own life

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Chicago authorities determined Tuesday that former Minnesota Duluth captain Andrew Carroll took his own life at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Andrew Carroll, the former Minnesota Duluth hockey captain who died on Monday, took his own life, according to the Chicago medical examiner’s office.

“The cause of death is complications of multiple blunt force head injuries due to jump from height,” Becky Schlikerman of the Chicago Bureau of Administration wrote in an email. “The manner of death is suicide.”

In a statement, Chicago police said that Carroll, 32, was found bleeding profusely in the outside lanes of Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport around 4:22 a.m. Saturday. He was taken by ambulance to Chicago’s Presence Resurrection Medical Center, where he was initially listed in critical condition.

His family, in a statement, announced his death Monday.

A review of closed circuit video showed he had jumped from the upper level roadway to the lower level roadway of West Terminal Street “on his own accord,” Chicago police reported.

"The Chicago Department of Aviation offers it condolences to the Carroll family during this difficult time,” the agency responsible for O’Hare Airport said in a statement.

Carroll played for the Bulldogs from 2005-09 and was the only player in team history to serve as captain or assistant captain for all or parts of four seasons.

A native of Shoreview, Minn., Carroll was an A student who in 2009 was among 20 NCAA Division I candidates for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, which requires high grades in academics, character, community involvement and competition. He earned WCHA All-Academic honors three times. He played in 153 games with the Bulldogs and totaled 69 points.

In a 2009 News Tribune story, then-strength coach Justin May talked about Carroll’s motivation. “Somewhere growing up, he was told he had to work harder than anyone else,” May said. “Whatever we’ve asked him to do, he’s done more.”

Head coach Scott Sandelin called him a “heart-and-soul player who loves the game. He’s the consummate team guy.”

Carroll told News Tribune sports writer Kevin Pates that he had been challenged to keep up with his older brother, Chris.

“I looked up to my brother and wanted to be as good as he was,” Andrew Carroll said. “If he did eight repetitions of an exercise, I would do nine. If I thought staying on the rink an extra half-hour would make me better, that’s what I did. That’s what has gotten me here. Playing college hockey was my dream.”

During the school year, Carroll was among UMD athletes asked to participate in community events, including reading to schoolchildren.

He participated in Hockey Ministries International, an organization devoted to providing spiritual support to hockey players.